Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Painting VHF/UHF base vertical?
Preparing to install a Diamond VHF/UHF base vertical X6000A, and
planning to paint it beforehand to a less visible color (here, dark green will be better than white). Is there any issue with this (affecting RF performance)? Does the outer (fiberglass? plastic?) white jacket have any dielectric characteristic necessary for antenna operation that would be affected by paint? Any type of paint to avoid (I was planning Rust-Oleum textured dark green.) Tks, 73 Dave WB0GAZ |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
NON-metalic paint only.
"wb0gaz" wrote in message ps.com... Preparing to install a Diamond VHF/UHF base vertical X6000A, and planning to paint it beforehand to a less visible color (here, dark green will be better than white). Is there any issue with this (affecting RF performance)? Does the outer (fiberglass? plastic?) white jacket have any dielectric characteristic necessary for antenna operation that would be affected by paint? Any type of paint to avoid (I was planning Rust-Oleum textured dark green.) Tks, 73 Dave WB0GAZ |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
wb0gaz wrote: Preparing to install a Diamond VHF/UHF base vertical X6000A, and planning to paint it beforehand to a less visible color (here, dark green will be better than white). Is there any issue with this (affecting RF performance)? Does the outer (fiberglass? plastic?) white jacket have any dielectric characteristic necessary for antenna operation that would be affected by paint? Any type of paint to avoid (I was planning Rust-Oleum textured dark green.) Tks, Select the primer carefully. Rustoleum paints are designed to be laid over Rustoleum primers over steel. A good primer for steel might be a lousy primer for fiberglass. I'd check with a body shop which works on Corvettes for a recommendation on good primers for fiberglass. Rustoleum enamels over just about any decent primer will work. 73 Dave WB0GAZ w3rv |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"wb0gaz" wrote in message ps.com... Preparing to install a Diamond VHF/UHF base vertical X6000A, and planning to paint it beforehand to a less visible color (here, dark green will be better than white). Is there any issue with this (affecting RF performance)? Does the outer (fiberglass? plastic?) white jacket have any dielectric characteristic necessary for antenna operation that would be affected by paint? Any type of paint to avoid (I was planning Rust-Oleum textured dark green.) Tks, 73 Dave WB0GAZ Dave I have tried to get some idea of the loss of dielectric stuff at RF by "cooking it" in the microwave for a short while to see if it gets hot. That may or may not be a method you could use to get more confidance about what paint to use. Jerry |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"wb0gaz" wrote in message ps.com... Preparing to install a Diamond VHF/UHF base vertical X6000A, and planning to paint it beforehand to a less visible color (here, dark green will be better than white). Is there any issue with this (affecting RF performance)? Does the outer (fiberglass? plastic?) white jacket have any dielectric characteristic necessary for antenna operation that would be affected by paint? Any type of paint to avoid (I was planning Rust-Oleum textured dark green.) Here is one recommendation: Antenna Painting Instructions The following is courtesy Celwave This is what I received when I asked them for a recommendation of what to use in refinishing my 18 year old PD455 Celwave receives requests for advice about refinishing weathered antenna radomes or changing the radome color for aesthetic reasons. We do not take a position on any manufacturer's paint. However, Sherwin-Williams seems to make a product, which should be compatible with radomes and not interfere with the antenna's electrical performance. The following suggestions are not a substitute for detailed instructions and mix ratios provided by the paint manufacturer. RADOME MATERIAL (Standard Color) CELWAVE PRODUCT LINE 1. Spun Epoxy Fiberglass (Blue) Penetrator Antennas (AxR, BxR Series) 2. Polyester Impregnated Fiberglass (White) Stationmaster Antennas (PDxx Omni Series.) 3. Polyester Impregnated Fiberglass (Grey) FR CELlite Panel Antennas (AP18, 19 Series) 4. ASA (Grey) FR CELlite Panel Antennas (AP90 Series) 5. AES/ABS (White or Grey) US Panel Antennas (Other APxx Models) 6. Gel Coated Fiberglass Tubing (White) Marine Antennas (Cel-1, 3 etc.) Notes: FOR RADOME MATERIAL USE THIS FINISH #1, #2, #3 Primer and Top Coat #4, #5 Primer may be required ---- (Top Coat retention may be tested with adhesive tape after paint dries) #6 Requires Pre-Treat (Acid Etch) to remove gloss, then Primer and Top Coat SHERWIN-WILLIAMS PRODUCTS: Etch P60G2 "Wash Primer" Primer D61H75 "Polane 2.8 Plus Spray Fil" Top Coat Polane Type "HS 2.8 Plus Polyurethane" SURFACE PREPARATION: Removal of surface contamination is normally accomplished by using an alcohol solvent, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, or butanol. A ten percent solution of methyl ethyl ketone in water can also be used whenever stubborn oil or grease is encountered. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Painting to be done indoors, as the uncured product is sensitive to moisture. Apply one coat of Polane 2.8 Plus Spray Fil D61H75 Primer. It is designed to fill and/or hide profile and surface imperfections on metal castings, structural foam, plastic and wood. Apply one coat of Polane HS 2.8 Plus Polyurethane Enamel Monochromatic Intermix Color System F63 Series. FOR FURTHER S-W PRODUCT INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Stadalman - Product Finishing Representative The Sherwin-Williams Company Chemical Coating Facility 3165 Tucker Road Bensalem, PA 19020 Voice = (215) 638-0104 Fax = (215) 638-1008 Rev: #5 10/05/98 DLS File: PAINT.doc |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Dave- why not use (it's NOT PAINT, per se), Fiberglass repair material
available at most building suppiy companies, and also body restoreing kits for cars and boats? Have used this stuff to repair badly weather checked Green Hornet antennas, and the big advantage is that they also have color dyes available to "match" the original surfaces color ! This stuff also has the advantage that it is an epoxy base- not something that will fade, or flake off in a year or two! It also adds tensile strength if you are in a bad wx location. Biggest disadvantage is- once its on, its on (and that includes your clothes, skin, ect! Be careful applying it, and let it dry totally before trying to move/install it! as info, Jim NN7K wb0gaz wrote: Preparing to install a Diamond VHF/UHF base vertical X6000A, and planning to paint it beforehand to a less visible color (here, dark green will be better than white). Is there any issue with this (affecting RF performance)? Does the outer (fiberglass? plastic?) white jacket have any dielectric characteristic necessary for antenna operation that would be affected by paint? Any type of paint to avoid (I was planning Rust-Oleum textured dark green.) Tks, 73 Dave WB0GAZ |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Inverted ground plane antenna: compared with normal GP and low dipole. | Antenna | |||
Short STACKED Vertical {Tri-Band} BroomStick Antenna [Was: Wire ant question] | Shortwave | |||
Base Closures | Shortwave | |||
QST Article: An Easy to Build, Dual-Band Collinear Antenna | Antenna | |||
Poor vertical performance on metal sheet roof - comments? | Antenna |